Smoking & The Workplace

Barking and Dagenham gets ready to go Smoke-free

Workplaces across Barking and Dagenham will have to be completely smoke-free by 6am on 1st July 2007 - the date when new Government legislation will take effect.

Under the new law, all workplaces in which more than one person works will have to be smoke-free. Enclosed public spaces, such as shopping malls, railway stations, taxis, pubs and working men's clubs will also have to comply with the legislation.

The move for a total ban on smoking in the workplace follows successful smoke-free ventures in Ireland, where the smoke-free law was voted the no.1 'high' of 2004, and Scotland, where the health of bar workers has soared since a ban on smoking in public places was introduced in March this year.

A recent study in Barking and Dagenham found that nine out of ten residents felt that all employees have a right to work in a smoke-free environment, and three quarters in full support of legislation to make workplaces, including public places, smoke free.

Information and resources to support the introduction of smoke-free legislation is available on the Smoke-free England website at: www.smokefreeengland.co.uk, or by calling 0800 169 1697.

Smokers who wish to quit or employers looking to support their staff giving up smoking can call the Barking and Dagenham NHS Stop Smoking Service on 020 8532 6284. The Service provides highly effective programmes that include nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches, on NHS prescription.

If you would like Free help and support to quit or as an employer, would like help to develop a smoking policy and /or tailored made support to help employees quit call 020 8532 6284
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